World tour exhibition

Our exhibition

Tropical House in the Chocolate Museum Cologne
SDG World tour of cocoa

From the cocoa plantation to the chocolate factory

Follow the path of cocoa and chocolate

"Intowada" - this is the inscription on an ancient West African dugout canoe boat. It is the first exhibit that catches your eye when you visit our exhibition in the Chocolate Museum and begin your "world tour of cocoa". On over 600 square meters, the newly designed exhibition is all about the cultivation, transport, production and consumption of cocoa and chocolate. "Sustainability" is the common thread that runs through the entire exhibition. Admire the various fascinating cocoa plant species in the midst of exotic vegetation in our tropical house. Sometimes the plants even bear fruit. The cocoa tree "Theobroma cacao" (food of the gods) originally grew in the Amazon region, today it is mainly cultivated by small farmers in West Africa.

In the museum's own chocolate production facility, the chocolate fountain, which is always filled with fresh Lindt chocolate, is not the only tempting highlight. The production process can also be observed step by step on the glass machines. Our Maître Chocolatier awaits you at the chocolate fountain. There you can taste fresh Lindt chocolate to your heart's content.

Visit our chocolate factory and immerse yourself in the world of chocolate craftsmanship. Learn how truffles and hollow figures are made and create your own individual chocolate bar from three types of Lindt chocolate and 40 ingredients. This is then made right before your eyes by the Maîtres Chocolatiers. Would you like to learn the art of making chocolates or improve your skills? Then book one of our chocolate courses in our confectionery.

Time travel of cocoa

A journey through 5,000 years of cocoa history

The museum centrepiece of the Chocolate Museum is the cultural history exhibition: aphrodisiac, offering, means of payment, food and pleasure - chocolate is and was all of these things. Gain exciting insights into the 5000-year-old history of cocoa, from the mythical ceremonies in Central America to the luxurious drink of the European aristocracy and today's luxury food for everyone.

From 24 June 2025, we will be presenting our new permanent exhibition ‘Time travel of cocoa’ - immerse yourself in the fascinating history of cocoa from its origins in Ecuador to modern chocolate production. Discover how cocoa went from a mysterious potion of ancient civilisations to a luxury good for kings and finally to a popular chocolate for everyone. The exhibition takes you on this journey in a multimedia and sensory way, illuminating not only the pleasurable aspects, but also critical chapters such as the colonial era.

Marvel at historical exhibits, find out interesting facts about the everyday life of the ‘Stollwerck girls’ and learn how the role of women in the chocolate industry has changed over time.

Chocolate is a feeling Exhibition Chocolate Museum Cologne
Chocolate is a feeling Exhibition at the Chocolate Museum

Chocolate is a feeling - the grand finale

It gets colorful at the top

Ten stations symbolize feelings that we all associate with chocolate. A red heart that pulsates when touched stands for love, a diamond for luxury, a lindt bunny for festivity, the colorful M&M's for friendship.

You can interact with a sad emoji that is captioned with the emotion "Hangry": if it is fed, its blood sugar level rises and anger turns into a good mood. Thanks to chocolate!

Advertising also conveys emotions. A large media wall is dedicated to sweet advertising from many decades. A nostalgia column also shows how the advertising industry used to deal with the subject of chocolate.